Kidai Shoran (detail) © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst (Asian Art Museum, National Museums in Berlin), former collection of Hans-Joachim and Inge Küster, gift of Manfred Bohms 2002, photography: Tadao Kodaira

5Oxcart

Oxen were used to pull carts with heavy goods up the slopes and arched bridges of Edo, both of which were plentiful in the city. Goods were transported from wholesalers and markets of all kinds in the low grounds to the higher elevations where samurai residences, shrines, and temples were located. The many bridges spanned both the moats surrounding the castle for defense and the canals used to transport goods.